Subaru WRX STI fans have felt neglected for five years now, ever since the release of the current WRX generation that left out the beloved STI trim level the WRX is known for. But all is not lost. When Subaru announced that the new-generation WRX would not receive an STI variant, the company emphasized that the STI wasn’t truly dead — only on “hiatus” — and would eventually return, likely in an electrified form. We may finally be getting a glimpse of what that might look like at the end of October at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.
Subaru has revealed a few teaser images: two close-ups of headlights and one shadowy shot featuring two hot hatches illuminated by their headlights. Given that the WRX has been sedan-only for some time, this marks a significant departure from the current generation. The silhouette of the closer vehicle strongly resembles a modern WRX or Levorg (the wagon version not sold in the U.S.) and is being referred to as the Performance-B STI Concept. The car behind it is called the Performance-E STI Concept.
The sleek, modern design of the headlights on the Performance-E STI Concept hints at the styling direction of Subaru’s all-electric performance vehicle concept. It represents the “future of the performance scene” for Subaru’s next generation, focusing on improved aerodynamics, practicality, and the integration of advanced technology.
The other vehicle, however, is likely to be the true center of attention for die-hard WRX STI fans. The Performance-B STI Concept is Subaru’s internal-combustion-based concept. According to Subaru, it “makes use of the assets Subaru has honed over many years, including a horizontally opposed engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.” The fact that Subaru mentions it’s based on the boxer engine suggests it will likely feature a hybrid powertrain. That may be a bit disappointing to some purists, but this concept is the one most likely to reach production. With many automakers now slowing their EV initiatives, Subaru may have the opportunity to continue developing ICE-powered vehicles a bit longer rather than diving fully into electrification, as some brands are doing.
As most Subaru fans know, Subaru’s concepts rarely make it to production in their original form — if at all. For instance, Subaru teased a turbocharged BRZ STI twice, once in 2011 and again in 2015. And as you might guess, it never made it to production, despite the overwhelmingly positive reception. Subaru has a history of teasing enthusiasts with near-production-ready concepts that ultimately go nowhere. So understandably, many will take these new STI concepts with a grain of salt. However, Subaru has repeatedly promised that the STI trim will return — and this may finally be the moment it does.
